Rumour Mill: Celtic | Hibs | Rangers

Ajax say their skill will shine against Celtic, Nelson a doubt for Aberdeen match after Celtic black eye and Vine could face SFA rap for Neil Lennon comments.

Samaras has been marked as Celtic's man to watch by Ajax. Picture: SNS

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: CELTIC V AJAX

Celtic midfielder James Forrest is set to play a key role for Neil Lennon’s side tonight against Ajax after recovering from a mystery virus which left him hospitalised for five days last month.

It was thought that the influential winger could have contracted meningitis. (Scotsman)

• Celtic forward Georgios Samaras says his side have the quality to beat Ajax despite being without a number of key players.

Manager Neil Lennon will have to cope without Kris Commons, Scott Brown and Adam Mathews.

• Samaras has been identified as the danger man by Ajax coach Frank de Boer who believes Celtic will build their game around him.

• De Boer is aiming for third time lucky against Celtic having lost at Celtic Park in his previous two Old Firm derbies as a Rangers player.

• Former Celtic player Bobby Petta says Celtic will have to draw on their physical strength to overcome Ajax

• Ajax’s Viktor Fischer says his side will win against Celtic if they outplay them on the pitch on not try to match the Parkhed outfit in a physical battle.

He said: “We are a better footballing side than them, that is for certain.”

• The referee for tonight’s match, Ivan Bebek, was sent a white stick by Hajduk Split supporters.

Ivan Bebek’s call in a game between Split and Dinamo Zagreb frustrated supporters so much they sent a package to the Croatian Football Federation for the ref which included the white stick, a jersey and a Dinamo scarf.

Michael Nelson a doubt for Aberdeen clash

Hibs defender Michael Nelson is a doubt for Saturday’s meeting with Aberdeen after suffering a serious facial injury during his side’s 1 - 1 draw with Celtic at Easter Road last weekend.

Nelson became involved in a Twitter spat with Celtic boss Neil Lennon when he tweeted a picture of his black eye and told the Irishman to #manup.

(Scotsman)

Vine could face SFA rap for Twitter comments

Hibs striker Rowan Vine could find himself punished by the SFA after it emerged that comments made by him on Twitter towards Celtic manager Neil Lennon are being investigated by compliance officer Vincent Lunny.

The Parkhead manager described Hibs’ tacking as “rugbyesque” only for Vine to ask what he had been smoking and refer to an incident which saw the Northern Irishman booted in the head by Alan Shearer. (Sun)

Rangers supporters’ groups join forces

A statement on behalf of the Rangers’s Supporters Association and the Rangers Supporters Trust has called for answers from the remaining members of the club’s board following the departures of Craig Mather and Bryan Smart. (Scotsman)

Tony Mowbray departs from Middlesbrough

Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has been sacked from the Tyneside club after failing to guide the club out of the Championship after three seasons in charge. His assistant Mark Venus takes over until a permanent manager is appointed. (Scotsman)

Inverness keen to sign Norwegian

ICT manager Terry Butcher is looking to sign Norwegian forward Tornjorn Agdestein for the rest of the season as the club braces itself for January transfer window interest in leading scorer Billy McKay.

Agdestein is contracted to the Inverness club until January however Inverness are keen to extend his stay. (Press and Journal)

Alex Ferguson set to release explosive autobiography

Details of Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography will emerge today prior to full release of the former Manchester United manager’s book.

He is expected to reveal details of the departures of David Beckham and Ruud Van Nistelrooy and also cover the Manchester club’s turbulent takeover period.

His less than jovial relationship with former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Raphael Benitez will also be covered as will the racism storm that followed Louis Suarez abuse to Patrice Evra. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Celtic under-19 coach Stevie Frail praised Celtic youngster Darnell Fisher after he impressed during his debut against Hibs where he filled in at right back

• Chris Dilo is set to miss St Mirren’s match against Dundee United after picking up a knee injury

• Former Dundee United midfielder Prince Buaben has joined Carlisle United for the rest of the season

• Kilmarnock are still unaware of what caused Rabiu Ibrahim to collapse during his side’s 2 - 0 win over Ross County